The Coderina Foundation has concluded the 2025–2026 First Lego League National Coding and Robotics Championship in Abuja, announcing international sponsorship for five outstanding schools to represent Nigeria at global robotics competitions abroad.
Founder of the Coderina Foundation, Olajide Ademola Ajayi, made the announcement while addressing participants, teachers, and officials at the high-profile technology event, describing the championship as a critical step in preparing Nigerian children for a future driven by artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Ajayi, a strong advocate of early exposure to technology, stressed that Nigeria must deliberately position its young population to compete in an increasingly AI-powered global economy. He said sustained investment in artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital skills among pupils would determine the country’s relevance in future technological advancements.
While congratulating the top-performing schools, he reaffirmed Coderina’s long-term commitment to youth-focused AI education, digital literacy, and innovation-driven learning. He also commended teachers from across the country for their active participation, noting that their involvement remains key to nurturing future innovators.
According to him, artificial intelligence will feature even more prominently in subsequent editions of the championship. He said participants should expect to see more AI-driven solutions and advanced projects as the programme continues to evolve.
Ajayi also praised the Nigerian government for its growing support for technology-based education, describing the collaboration between private initiatives and public institutions as vital to accelerating national development.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, represented by the Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Adenike Olodo Muyibat, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to youth-centred technology initiatives.
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She said Nigeria must keep pace with the global shift towards artificial intelligence, noting that the rising interest among young people has prompted increased government investment in STEM, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and emerging technologies.
According to her, the integration of artificial intelligence into education has simplified learning processes and created new opportunities for personalised education and innovation. She explained that while automation has existed for years, AI has made advanced technology more accessible and impactful across the world.
She expressed appreciation to Coderina for its partnership with the Ministry of Education, particularly in creating platforms that expose young Nigerians to global technology trends. She also highlighted ongoing teacher-training initiatives aimed at equipping educators with modern tools to better prepare students for the digital age.
She added that the federal government plans to introduce more digital applications and programmes to engage young Nigerians in meaningful and productive innovation-driven activities.
Participants at the championship received awards across various categories in recognition of their performance, creativity, and commitment throughout the competition. Teachers and officials who played key roles in the success of the programme were also honoured.
One of the emotional highlights of the event was the recognition of Kadijat Ibrahim, a student of Government Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja, who won the Best Engineering Student award. Overwhelmed with joy, she described the moment as unexpected and life-changing, explaining that she attended the event mainly to gain experience.
The championship featured intense regional and national competitions, showcasing innovative robot designs and problem-solving skills. Winning teams progressed through multiple stages, with the best performers earning the opportunity to compete internationally.
Designed as a premier platform for young innovators, the programme emphasises teamwork, creativity, inclusivity, and the practical application of technology to solve real-world challenges. Participants in the robot game category were tasked with completing between 11 and 13 complex missions, testing their engineering skills, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
Organised by Coderina in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, the championship continues to strengthen technology education as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s future workforce development. Teenage competitors from across the country confidently demonstrated their ability to transform classroom knowledge into practical innovations with real-world impact.
The competition has attracted participation from hundreds of thousands of students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, cutting across federal, unity, state, and private schools. As the championship grows, it is fast emerging as a defining platform for Nigeria’s ambitions in robotics, artificial intelligence, and global technology leadership.
With the conclusion of the 2025–2026 First Lego League National Coding and Robotics Championship, five top-performing schools have now been selected to represent Nigeria at the global stage, where they will compete with peers from countries including the United States, Canada, Rwanda, and Australia.
